What better way to blog about the release of the No-Man DVD “Mixtaped” than with a No-Man mixtape? I meant to do this back in August/September after going to the preview screening of the DVD (a documentary called “Mixtaped” on one disk, and a live show called “Returning” on the second disk) but as usual lack of time won the battle with my good intentions.

Like a lot of people I came to No-Man through Porcupine Tree, and probably like a lot of people they were a slow-burner for me. Nowadays while Porcupine Tree excite me and I eagerly await every next release, I find I listen to No-Man just as much if not more than them.

The documentary DVD is unusual in that with most bands if you like them enough to buy the DVD you probably know pretty much everything about them already. But No-Man have led such a low-key existence that it’s packed with surprises. Who would have thought, for example, that it was Tim Bowness and not Steven Wilson who had the sillier hair! Although Wilson does beat him in the daft hat stakes. There are a few gaps in it though, for example when talking about the One Little Indian years they mention that they would regret “what would come next” without saying exactly what it was.

The live DVD is great, although I was a bit surprised that they “rocked up” their live sound. Never having seen or heard them live I’d always imagined more of a jazz club feel to their shows – having said that it’s a terrific performance and it is no surprise that they’re as tight as a gnat’s chuff.

Hi, just want to say that ive thoroughly enjoyed the music, we clearly extremely similar taste in music. i’d not heard of No-Man but crimes that mixtape is out of this world, cant get enough of them.Whilst im a fan of Porcupine Tree this material is more suited to my more soulful taste. keep up the great work, looking forward to the next installment. regards, Jim Ward

On January 26th 2010 at 8:06 pm, Alan said:

Glad you like it Jim! It was a real challenge putting this mixtape together – I actually did it as a real (but 21st century) mixtape for a friend, and I had to get it to fit on one CD. I could easily have done 2 or 3 CDs of material, and had to cut out a ton of stuff that I really really love – including Lighthouse, which is probably my favourite No-Man track of all time. Possibly a tie with Things Change. It was a real wrench to drop it from the mixtape – but I wanted something from each album, and one of the longer tracks had to go! And I’d already posted it on it’s own (see http://birdie-song.com/?p=286)

I should really keep this blog up-to-date, if you come back please keep chatting!

This blog is intended as a way to spread the word about music I really like, and encourage others to support artists who are making great music. "Try before you buy", if you like. If you hear something you like here, go and buy it - I'll post links to online shops where you can buy each track I blog about.

If you're reading this and you are the artist, or their record company, and you don't want a track I've posted to be available to hear in this way just email me and let me know - I will be more than happy to take the file down straight away. I've heard of other bloggers getting threatened with letters from lawyers, and there is absolutely no need to waste your money on that with me!